Minister praises staff during Omagh Hospital visit
Date published:
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and met staff and patients at its Regional Endoscopy Centre and Day Procedure Centre. The visit highlighted the contribution both services are making to help more people access assessment, diagnostics and treatment while supporting efforts to reduce regional waiting lists.
Recently published waiting times statistics for the quarter ending 31 March 2026 show reductions in waits for first consultant led outpatient appointments, inpatient and day case treatment, and diagnostics compared with December 2025.
The Health Minister said:
“It has been a privilege to visit Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and see first-hand the excellent work being delivered by staff in both the Regional Endoscopy Centre and Day Procedure Centre.
“What is being achieved here is making a real difference for patients and families. More people are receiving assessment, diagnostics, and treatment sooner, helping improve patient experience and outcomes.
“The achievements at Omagh Hospital show what can be accomplished through the professionalism, expertise and commitment of staff. Ensuring patients can receive timely care remains a key focus for me.
“I want to thank everyone working here for the contribution they are making every day. Their dedication is helping build trust and confidence in our health service.”
The Regional Endoscopy Centre, which alongside the Lagan Valley Regional Endoscopy Centre has now delivered around 20,000 endoscopy procedures. The service has provided additional capacity for patients requiring urgent assessment, including those on suspected cancer pathways.
The Minister heard from staff at the regional Day Procedure Centre on the delivery of expanded planned care for patients across the Western Trust area and the wider region. Together, the Omagh and Lagan Valley centres have treated more than 24,000 patients between October 2020 and April 2026.
Mr Mark Gillespie, Director of Surgery, Paediatrics and Women’s Health at the Western Health and Social Care Trust said:
“We are proud of what staff at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex have achieved in delivering high-quality care for patients.
“The Regional Endoscopy Centre and Day Procedure Centre are helping improve patient pathways through earlier assessment and planned treatment across a range of areas.
“This progress reflects the commitment of staff and the Trust’s continued focus on delivering safe, effective and timely care.”
In 2025/26, the Omagh Day Procedure Centre delivered 1,109 theatre sessions and treated more than 3,686 patients.
The Day Procedure Unit is a key component of the Western Trust’s capacity to deliver high volume, low complexity day procedures. Operating as a standalone centre with three theatres, the unit provides services across Pain Management, Gynaecology, Urology, ENT, General Surgery, Ophthalmology and Mental Health. This can include injections undertaken in theatre under x-ray guidance. Pre-operative assessment services are co-located on site, supporting patient readiness and safe day case care.
Reducing waiting times is a key commitment within the Executive’s Programme for Government.
Notes to editors:
- Photo: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during a visit to the Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex is pictured with staff from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (L-R) Mr Ahmed Marzouk, Noella Madden, Mr Mark Gillespie, Sister Maureen Farley and Professor Mark Taylor.
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